Sep
22

The Story Behind "O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink"

Featuring PraiseBooks Posted on September 22, 2011

Lyrics

O, for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!

That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod,
But, in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.

A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.

A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life’s last hour is fled,
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up a dying bed.

Lord, give me such a faith as this,
And then, whate’er may come,
I’ll taste, e’en here, the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.

About the Author:

William Hiley Bathurst, a clergyman for the Church of England, was born in Bristol, England in 1796. He was the son of Charles Bragge, who was member of Parliament for Bristol, and who, upon inheriting his uncle’s estate, assumed his name, Bathurst. He graduated from Christ Church College, Oxford, and was ordained a priest in 1819. The following year he became rector of Barwick-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, where he remained for 32 years. His biographer, speaking of these years of ministerial service, wrote: “Faithfully devoting himself to the spiritual welfare of his parishioners, he greatly endeared himself to them all by his eminent piety, his great simplicity of character, his tender love, and his abundant generosity.” In 1863, upon the death of his older brother, he moved to the family estate in Gloucestershire where he died in 1877.

Key Verse:

One day the apostles said to the Lord, “We need more faith; tell us how to get it.” –Luke 17:5

O, FOR A FAITH THAT WILL NOT SHRINK
O, for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!
That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod,
But, in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.
A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.
A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life’s last hour is fled,
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up a dying bed.
Lord, give me such a faith as this,
And then, whate’er may come,
I’ll taste, e’en here, the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.
Page 11
About the writer: William Hiley Bathurst, a clergyman for the Church of England, was born in Bristol, England in
1796. He was the son of Charles Bragge, who was member of Parliament for Bristol, and who, upon inheriting his
uncle’s estate, assumed his name, Bathurst. He graduated from Christ Church College, Oxford, and was ordained
a priest in 1819. The following year he became rector of Barwick-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, where he remained for 32
years. His biographer, speaking of these years of ministerial service, wrote: “Faithfully devoting himself to the
spiritual welfare of his parishioners, he greatly endeared himself to them all by his eminent piety, his great simplicity
of character, his tender love, and his abundant generosity.” In 1863, upon the death of his older brother, he moved
to the family estate in Gloucestershire where he died in 1877. Key Verse: One day the apostles said to the Lord,
“We need more faith; tell us how to get it.” –Luke 17:5

 

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